A growing number of consumers are showing interest in plant-based diets and natural foods that offer proven health benefits. As a source of fibre, vitamin K, vitamin B6, copper, manganese, and potassium, California Prunes combine premium taste with nutritional value.
For food manufacturers and retailers looking to tap into such trends, California Prunes also demonstrate versatility as a healthy snack or functional ingredient. Naturally sweet, prunes can be used to reduce sugar, add taste and texture to sweet or savoury dishes, or as a partial replacement for fat in baked goods.
40 percent of the world’s prunes are sourced from California, which is renowned for its high agricultural, food safety, and sustainability standards. The California Prune Board (CPB) represents a large proportion of the state’s growers and handlers and works globally to promote a lifetime of wellness through the enjoyment of its produce, underpinned by scientific research into the benefits of prunes on bone and gut health.
Esther Ritson-Elliott, Director of International Marketing and Communications for the CPB, believes the popularity of California Prunes can add value and generate sales for the trade. She explains: “Our experts grow prunes that are premium in taste, size, consistency, and nutritional status. This ‘California Difference’ appeals to consumers, while California itself remains the reliable source of prunes, due to its exceptional growing conditions and smart inventory to meet year-round demand.”
To find out more about collaborating with the California Prune Board on NPD and to explore the nutritional and taste benefits of California Prunes, visit www.californiaprunes.net/trade/
